Cover 3: Your Weekly Insight Delivered Every Tuesday

Cover 3 is a digital newsletter that covers 3 different stories around football every week. From the locker room to the front office, we’ve got you covered.

Each Tuesday, an email will land in your inbox from me, Jordan Palmer.

Our goal is not only to give you the stories you won’t get anywhere else - but another perspective that can help you build your relationship to the game, your family, and all the people you enjoy spending time with.

* You’ll usually receive these every Tuesday morning but we didn’t want you to miss this week’s stories so that’s why you got it today.

From The Streaming Spotlight To Superbowl Aspirations

In today’s email:

We delve into the multifaceted world of NFL quarterbacks. First, we emphasize the potential benefits of participating in Netflix's "Quarterback" documentary series, highlighting its role in branding and career growth.

Then we examine the evolving dynamics within the Arizona Cardinals' quarterback room due to Kyler Murray's injury and stress the significance of seizing opportunities in the football world.

Lastly, we categorize quarterbacks based on the levels of pressure they face, underscoring the notion that embracing pressure can pave the way for enduring legacies in the NFL.

Quarterbacks in the Streaming Spotlight: Beyond the Game to the Brand

In the ever-changing world of professional football, there's always more than meets the eye. Recently, there's a certain buzz that's hard to ignore within the quarterback fraternity. Everyone's talking about Netflix's new documentary, "Quarterback." With the Manning family and Omaha Productions behind it, and the forward-thinking 2PM productions fronted by the Patrick Mahomes (2PM = Patrick Mahomes II), how can you not have least watched some of it?

So why are notable names, such as Tua, Josh Allen, Justin Fields, and Lamar Jackson potentially sidestepping this unmatched opportunity?

Balancing The Limelight

"Distracting." That's a word floating around. Many express concerns that such a high-profile project, during a gauntlet of a season, could shift their focus off the field. The NFL, with its rigorous schedule, demands unwavering attention - both physically and mentally. Adding another layer, like a documentary crew, might seem like an unnecessary added pressure.

However, let's pause and reflect. For an NFL quarterback, distractions are part of the role. The full schedule of practice, physical therapy/body work, film study, marketing/media commitments, family, philanthropy and the constant shine of the media spotlight are constants they've adeptly handled. So, is a documentary truly a step too far?

Spotlighting The Brand Potential

From my vantage point in the quarterback community, there's a broader picture. Beyond field strategies, today's athletes are increasingly evolving into brand mavens. With the digital era in full swing, nurturing a personal brand is no longer optional - it's imperative. And lucrative.

For quarterbacks who actively shape their digital image (or crush it on social), the rewards are evident - they can increase their market value by 10, 20, 30% or more. But Netflix, with its global clout, isn't merely entertainment. It's a golden chance to chronicle personal journeys, foster deeper fan connections, and cement a legacy not only as a sports icon but a resonating brand.

I believe the quarterbacks who say “yes” to Quarterback, won’t increase their brand value by %’s, but will probably double it. It’s that big of a branding play.

Guarding The Narrative

I do acknowledge that with great visibility comes a critical need for control. Sharing one's life is one aspect, but handing over the storytelling reins is another. Any quarterback considering this path must ensure they steer their narrative. Owning one's story isn’t just about evading misconceptions. It's about being genuine and relatable – traits deeply valued by fans. And the stars of the show have the type of creative control that you can’t get on Hard Knocks, All or Nothing or even Draft Academy which I’ve been on several times with my draft prep clients.

Final Thoughts

Chances like "Quarterback" are rare gems. While distraction apprehensions are valid, I'm convinced that top-tier NFL quarterbacks have the prowess to juggle the added “filming obligations”. The documentary offers an unparalleled stage to elevate personal brands. As the boundary between athlete and influencer becomes increasingly fluid, I'd encourage QBs to embrace this moment, control their saga, and harness this powerful medium. Football is in flux, and it's up to us to keep pace.

Inside the Huddle: Unpacking the QB Dynamics of the AZ Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals' quarterback room has become the NFL's latest talking point, sparking debate across every sports bar and fan forum. Could the Cardinals be vying for the number 1 pick with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye in the pipeline? Yet, amidst these speculations, two significant names emerge: Clayton Tune and Josh Dobbs.

Kyler Murray's Injury-Clouded Future

Kyler Murray, the face of the Cardinals' offense, is now staring down the barrel of an ACL injury recovery. The swirling rumors? He might not take a snap this season. This has led to whispers of a larger strategy - could the Cardinals be eying a top draft position next year and resetting their board? But with the QB landscape in Arizona shifting, other narratives are emerging.

Clayton Tune Steps Up

Enter Clayton Tune, a 5th Round pick that many pundits had their eyes on. With Colt McCoy's recent release - a solid backup but frequently sidelined - Tune's entrance onto the main stage seems imminent. Draft position? It's just a number. On the field, it's about arm strength, decision-making, and game management. Tune has an open field to prove he's more than just a draft-day bargain; he could be the Cardinals' next field general.

Josh Dobbs: The Plot Thickens

Josh Dobbs' trajectory is one for the storybooks. Initially set to warm the bench behind Dorian Thompson Robinson in Cleveland, the Cardinals' decision to trade for him has sent shockwaves. It's a head-scratcher for some, especially considering his playoff hiccup last year. But in the NFL, every snap offers redemption. Dobbs now finds himself in prime position to silence doubters and carve out his chapter in Cardinals' lore. A near-win in week 1 has him settled for sure, but there’s a lot of season left.

Seizing the Moment: A QB's Ultimate Test

Football is as much about seizing opportunities as it is about four verts and the inside zone. Whether you're Tune, stepping out from the draft's middle rounds shadows, or Dobbs, looking to shake off last year's playoff ghosts, the message is clear: It's game time.

History? It's written play-by-play, snap-by-snap.

So, as the NFL gears up for another season of drama, one thing is certain in Arizona - when you get the ball, you better be ready to make a play. It's not about where you've been, but where you're headed. For these Cardinals' quarterbacks, it's time to drop back, let it fly, and shoot their shot.

Pressure Makes Diamond Super Bowl Rings

In the heart of the NFL storm stands the quarterback, the pivotal eye where pressures converge. But as the saying goes, pressure can burst pipes or it can make diamonds. For both the team and the quarterback, it's the latter that’s needed - especially when Super Bowl aspirations are on the line.

The Changing Tides of Success

A quarterback's journey is a maze, filled with shifting walls of coaches, dynamic players, evolving systems, and restless fanbases. And as a QB elevates, so does the revolving wheel of talent and staff around him. But even in this game of musical chairs, the quarterback remains the consistent face of the franchise. So I’ve organized the levels of pressure these QBs are facing, categorically.

1. Quarterbacks on the Hot Seat

It’s the uncomfortable chair nobody wants. Every throw, every game, every injury is under a magnifying glass, with their future hanging in the balance. Their contract may have several years on it but the structure allows them to move on after this year if the team sees fit. Here’s a few sittin on that seat:

• Justin Fields: Chicago’s beacon of hope. The offseason did its part, bolstering the team. But now, Fields must light up Soldier Field.

• Tua Tagovailoa: Talented and tenacious, but fragility remains an Achilles' heel. Can he stay upright in Miami?

• Mac Jones: In New England, there's the Belichick way. Jones is learning it, but will he master it in time?

• Jordan Love: Green Bay's new 'love' interest post-Rodgers. But with no financial ball and chain, it’s a probationary romance.

• Sam Howell: Carolina took a flyer on him, but with potential changes in leadership, will he be part of the new blueprint?

• Desmond Ridder: The Falcons’ economical choice. But as they say, you get what you pay for. Or did they just find their version of Russell Wilson in the 3rd round?

• The scrutiny is also on for Ryan Tannehill, Baker Mayfield, and the always-in-the-news Kirk Cousins, especially with Vikings playing hardball on that extension.

2. Quarterbacks with Championship Pressure

The crème de la crème. The weight of legacy is on them, but so is the glitter of potential rings for these guys:

• Patrick Mahomes: Already an icon. But in KC, the hunger for more is insatiable.

• Justin Herbert: This dude can do everything, and can do it all the time. Can they stay healthy enough to take advantage of everything he brings to the table?

• Joe Burrow: Not too many Burrow doubters out there. Anywhere. But can the O-Line give him enough time to do what he needs to do?

• Josh Allen: Buffalo's winter warrior. Eager to end decades of Super Bowl hibernation.

• Lamar Jackson: He has as much ability as anyone in the game today, but can he be available to Baltimore for 17 weeks, so that they can play beyond 17 weeks this year?

• Jalen Hurts: Philly’s new hope. A city waiting for another miracle.

3. Quarterbacks That Need To Win, Simple & Plain

The pressure's mountainous. They're backed by loaded rosters and eager fanbases. Anything short of a legitimate Lombardi chase is a letdown.

• Deshaun Watson: Not long ago this was one of the best players in the whole league. He’s being paid like one of the current best players in the league. Can he get back to the form he was in when he led the NFL in passing yards? Or is this the latest Browns bust?

• Dak Prescott: Jerry’s World has had its share of stars. But Dallas is thirsty for another parade and Jerry seems impatient.

• Russell Wilson: Seattle’s rainmaker has made it rain in Denver. With his backup cashing in big checks, it's boom or bust for Russ. Things need to get better; quickly.

Final Note

In closing, every throw, every decision, every snap counts. Pressure, when embraced, creates legacies. To all the QBs, remember: every Super Bowl ring was forged in the fires of pressure.

And pressure is a privilege.